Don't Forget Your Change Series

DON’T FORGET YOUR CHANGE

WE NOW HAVE GOD’S TRUTH

Romans 1.16

S: Bible

C: Evangelism

Th: Never the Same Again

Pr: CLEARLY COMMUNICATE THE TRANSFORMING TRUTH OF THE BIBLE.

?: How do we accomplish this communication?

KW: Practices

TS: We will find in our study of Scripture four practices that will help us accomplish communicating the good news about Jesus.

CV: We will clearly communicate the transforming truth of the Bible.

Type: Propositional

PA: How is the change to be observed?

• Study the Word.

• Memorize the essentials.

• Communicate your change.

• Live the truth.

Version: ESV

RMBC 14 September 08 AM

INTRODUCTION:

I admit it.

I have aquaphobia.

I don’t like the water.

This is why I surprised my family when they determined to go white water rafting this summer, I decided I wanted to do it too.

It is kind of one of those “bucket list” things in my life.

I always wanted to do it, but I was too afraid, because I tend to panic in water that I cannot stand up in.

So I went.

And I gave very specific instructions to my children.

If for some reason we flipped over, and we were in the water, everybody’s first thought was to be, “Save Dad.”

Well, that did not happen, for which I am thankful.

And we did have a great time!

Are there things that scare you?

Are there things that fill you with fear?

Are there things that make your knees shake?

OUR STUDY:

For many of us, when we are asked to share our faith, this is something that makes our heart beat faster and our blood pressure rise.

But not so for the apostle Paul.

Listen how he views it:

Romans 1.16

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

I am not ashamed of the gospel…

Listen to how The Message translates this.

I think Eugene Peterson catches the spirit of it well:

It’s news I’m most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God’s powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else!

So, let’s ask a hard question…

Are you ashamed?

Too often, believers in the Lord Jesus hide the good news.

Sometimes it is out of fear.

Sometimes it is out of shame.

No one likes to be rejected.

No one likes to be opposed.

No one likes to be considered foolish.

No one likes to be thought of different.

But for Paul, it is an honor to talk about the gospel.

The word gospel means good news.

And it was not an uncommon word in the Greek-speaking world.

It was gospel when there was a victory in battle.

It was good news when there was a wedding.

It was gospel when a son was born.

It was good news when an enemy was defeated or died.

For Paul, and all Christians…

The gospel is the birth, death, and resurrection of Y’shua (Jesus).

Y’shua is the Hebrew name for Jesus.

It is what His mom and dad called Him.

It is what His siblings called Him.

The name means, “The Lord is salvation.”

The Romans, at first glance, would not think much of the story of Y’shua.

It is the story of a poor Jewish carpenter that is crucified.

It is about a so-called criminal receiving the lowest form of execution.

It is actually a fascinating story.

One of betrayal.

One of followers fleeing and denying.

One of a man being mocked and scourged.

A story of a man carrying his instrument of execution on the longest route through the city.

A story of being stripped naked and ridiculed.

A story of being forsaken by God.

Forgive me for saying it this way, it sounds like a story of a loser.

But the death on the cross was not the end of the story, because we are talking about the greatest comeback of all time.

You see, a victory has been won – Jesus Christ through His death and resurrection has creamed, routed, trampled, eradicated, and obliterated Satan, sin, death and the grave.

This is what excites Paul.

Nobody does this except God!

There is power here.

The Romans were into power.

It is what they boasted about.

After all, they were conquerors wherever their army marched and fought.

But to Paul, the Roman power did not compare to the power of God.

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God…

Paul saw what the good news could do in the hearts and minds of men, women and children.

You see…

The gospel brings change.

The philosopher, Seneca, called the city of Rome a cesspool of iniquity.